Femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO) is used to treat hip dysplasia, chronic arthritis of the hips, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (also called avascular necrosis of the femoral head), fractures of the hip joint, hip dislocation and failed total hip replacements.  In this surgery, the head and neck of the femur are removed to eliminate bone-on-bone contact in the hip joint.  Over time, a “false joint” forms in the area where the hip joint previously existed. 

Small and medium sized dogs seem to have the best and most consistent outcome with the surgery.  However, large dogs can do well with the surgery but the outcome seems less consistent.  Younger dogs probably do a little better with surgery than geriatric patients.  Depending on the reason for FHO, some surgeons will perform the surgery on both hips at the same time if the patient is a good candidate for this; or the surgery can be staged, so that one FHO is done, and the other follows at a later time.

Postoperatively, pain medications may be required for a long time.  Treatment of discomfort is very important, because physical therapy is an instrumental part of recovery from an FHO.  Range of motion exercises are performed early and often, and physical therapy is always recommended through our staff here at STVS. 

Complications of the surgery include loss of range of motion of the hip joint, continued lameness, muscle weakness, unwillingness to exercise and nerve damage.  It can sometimes take 6-8 months before use of the operated leg appears normal, and some dogs never have a normal gait on the operated leg.  However, this does not necessarily mean that they are painful.  With removing the joint, there are a number of changes in the way that force is transmitted through the leg, but they are usually not painful on movement of the false joint.